Alen Simonian: They Decided to Blame My Expensive Shoes on the Looted Country

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Alen Simonian, has responded to comments about his expensive shoes. Posting photos of his footwear, he stated, "Those who have been receiving money from the looters of this country for the past thirty years have decided to blame the looted wealth on my shoes. Of course, it is unclear what I should loot in the National Assembly, perhaps sell the empty seats of the opposition at a good price, or should I sell the old carpets of the National Assembly at a high price? One person accuses me of having $1100 Zegna shoes, another claims I own €1600 Loro Piana shoes. I have neither $1100 nor €1600 shoes. It’s quite absurd that almost everyone opens their $1400 iPhone and discusses the $1100 shoes of the Speaker of the National Assembly, but I must disappoint you, I mainly buy my shoes from outdoor outlets and shops in Yerevan, where you can find the shoes depicted in your photo in every second shop in downtown Yerevan. By the way, there are great discounts right now; the photo is from today.

And finally, you may not have heard your Vojd's press conference well, he said the looted wealth is in someone's underwear, and I'm ready to discuss this as well next; I have no doubt that the same people will respond."